Button Up

It's that time.....my 100th post......how fantastic!!! And the time has flown.....as all the best times do....

Inspired by my friend mimicharmante and encouraged by my friends Lori and Zi, I tentatively began my blog back in May. I liked the idea of it but hesitated because I didn't think I had enough to write about (I know.... I know....who knew I could talk so much!!).....and to be really honest I just didn't think it would be - or I would be - interesting enough.

It's hard to say now what I thought I would write about when I first started it or if I thought I would get to where I am now....and in some ways I guess that is the whole point of a blog....sometimes it just evolves and the beauty of it is that you can just follow where it takes you and choose your own direction.

I have been adamant all my life that I didn't have a creative bone in my body....both my brothers are creative, my husband can draw very well and my children seem to have an eye for art.....two things I have always wished that I could do are to be able to sing (not that my lack of ability stops me I have to say!) and to be artistic or creative.

But I have to say that producing my blog each day makes me feel creative.......from the process of putting it together, searching for and choosing images and writing about things I care about and am interested in......and that has been a fantastic thing.....quite an achievement for me since I never thought I could do it....I have surprised myself and I love it. I have realised how much I enjoy writing. It has been empowering and inspiring to have a voice and a way of expressing myself.

Discovering the blogging community has been a huge huge bonus.....people have been so enormously supportive and generous. I started writing my blog to create something for me, almost a diary really, never for one minute thinking that people around the world would read it.....and read it regularly and comment on it and say such nice things. I have met many fabulous people, people who write beautifully, who are funny, stylish and very accomplished at what they do.....it has been tremendously inspiring to read and to watch them at work. I really cannot thank you enough for reading my blog and for enjoying what I write.....and for letting me know that.

We all need people to tell us we are doing a good job or even just simply to say something kind or appreciative and some days when you're a grown up - and especially when you're a mother - that doesn't always happen......and when it does, it is just lovely....acknowledgement and recognition are everything, we all need that.

Blogging has certainly given me something in my life that I didn't know that I needed but now that I have it, I see what was missing.....does that make sense?!! Now I don't know where I would be without my blog.

I thought today I would have one image and a lot of writing......but you know me, I just couldn't do it.....a post is not a post without a dozen or so images!! I love beautiful things and love creating posts to share them with everyone.....

So.....today is a special day......and a special day needs a little fabulousness.....

What is a girl to wear....THIS is one amazing dress.....

.....but I do have a soft spot for this....

.....I wonder if she still has this....

....and if I ate only air and water for a month, I could squeeze myself into this....now all I need is a date....

.....I do have a Kiefer thing going on right now....too much of those "24" boxsets....

.....gorgeous as ever George...

....yes, it's always been you Andy....

While I ponder my choices....

.....I would like to say thank you to everyone who reads my blog....

....for their love....

.....and for their friendship....

.....it means everything....

Thank you.....as my son would say....."it makes me nice...."

It's not a celebration without a cake....and sometimes candles aren't just for birthdays....

.....a little champagne is a must....

....and to say thank you, I have a box of gifts....

.....a leather bound journal and some little things I bought in Florence last month, a porcelain "Love" mug by Jan Constantine, some very cute pink things from my friend Lucinda's shop Emporium, plus a little selection of "Britishness" and a few other bits and pieces that reflect my blog a little....

Just leave me a comment between now and Thursday, that's all.....I will mail it anywhere worldwide.....I will draw a winner this Friday September 4.

Thank you so much to everyone from the bottom of my heart.....I am having a fabulous time....

Happy Friday everyone.....thank you for reading my blog this week.....I've had some absolutely wonderful comments from some lovely people....thank you so much, I really appreciate them. Have a great week-end....